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This mode usually shows no speed increase with our static subject; we have no way to measure performance with moving subjects.

Manual focus
Optical Viewfinder

0.153 second

For most cameras, shutter lag is less in manual focus than autofocus, but usually not as fast as when the camera is "prefocused".

In terms of the A900's ability to determine that it's properly focused when shooting the same target multiple times, its speed is about average for a semi-pro SLR. The A900 required about 0.183 second for full AF. Continuous autofocus mode lag time was about the same at 0.181 second, and manual focus was slightly faster at about 0.153 second. When prefocused, shutter lag dropped to 0.072 second. This is slightly faster than Sony's consumer SLRs, but slightly slower than some competing prosumer models.

Cycle Time (shot to shot)

Single Shot modeLarge Extra Fine JPEG

0.40 second

Time per shot, averaged over 20 shots, 27 seconds to clear.*

Single Shot mode
Small Basic JPEG

036 second

Time per shot, averaged over 20 shots, 1.5 seconds to clear.*

Single Shot mode
RAW

0.41 second

Time per shot, averaged over 15 shots, 30 seconds to clear.*

Single Shot mode
RAW + LF JPEG

0.34 second

Time per shot, averaged over 11 shots, 35 seconds to clear.*

Single Shot mode
APS-C Extra Fine JPEG

0.51 second

Time per shot, averaged over 20 shots, 12 seconds to clear.*

Single Shot mode
APS-C Small Basic JPEG

0.50 second

Time per shot, averaged over 20 shots, 1.5 seconds to clear.*

Single Shot mode
APS-C RAW

0.47 second

Time per shot, averaged over 20 shots, 14.5 seconds to clear.*

Single Shot mode
APS-C RAW + Fine JPEG

0.43 second

Time per shot, averaged over 13 shots, 18.5 seconds to clear.*

Early shutter
penalty?

No

Some cameras refuse to snap another shot if you release and press the shutter too quickly in Single Shot mode, making "No" the preferred answer.

Continuous modeLarge Extra Fine JPEG

0.20 second(4.98 frames/sec);11 frames total;
28 seconds to clear*

Time per shot, averaged over 11 shots. Then slows to about 0.43 seconds per frame or 2.33 fps.

Continuous mode
Small Basic JPEG

0.20 second(4.99 frames/sec);20+ frames total;
5 seconds to clear*

Time per shot, averaged over 20 shots, with no signs of slowing down.

Continuous mode
RAW

0.20 second(5.00 frames/sec);13 frames total;
31 seconds to clear*

Time per shot, averaged over 13 shots. Then slows to about 2.14 seconds or 0.47 fps.

Continuous modeRAW+ LF JPEG

0.20 second(5.00 frames/sec);11 frames total;
35 seconds to clear*

Time per shot, averaged over 11 shots. Then slows to about 3.31 seconds or 0.30 fps.

Continuous mode
APS-C Extra Fine JPEG

0.20 second
(4.99 frames/sec);
20+ frames total;
18 seconds to clear*

Time per shot, averaged over 20 shots, with no signs of slowing down.

Continuous mode
APS-C Small Basic JPEG

0.20 second
(4.99 frames/sec);
20+ frames total;
3 seconds to clear*

Time per shot, averaged over 20 shots, with no signs of slowing down.

Continuous mode
APS-C RAW

0.20 second
(4.91 frames/sec);
14 frames total;
15 seconds to clear*

Time per shot, averaged over 14 shots. Then slows to about 1.03 seconds or 0.97 fps.

Continuous mode
APS-C RAW + Fine JPEG

0.20 second
(5.00 frames/sec);
11 frames total;
18 seconds to clear*

Time per shot, averaged over 11 shots. Then slows to about 1.70 seconds or 0.59 fps.

Single-shot cycle time performance is also about average for a semi-pro SLR, at about 0.4 second between shots in large/extra fine JPEG quality or RAW mode. Buffer depth is quite good (particularly for a camera with such exceptional resolution) at over 20 frames for JPEGs and 15 frames for RAW. Continuous mode is also about average among high-end prosumer SLR models at 5 frames per second in all modes, with good buffer depth at 11 frames for large/extra fine JPEGs and 13 for RAW files. (Remember, though, that these are very large, 25-megapixel files, and our test target when doing timing is designed to be difficult to compress to deliver results from a worst-case scenario.)

Switching to APS-C crop mode did not improve cycle-time or burst rate, which implies the sensor interface is the bottleneck, but it did improve burst length and/or buffer clearing time.

Download Speed

Windows Computer, USB 2.0

12,928 KBytes/sec

Typical Values:Less than 600=USB 1.1;
600-770=USB 2.0 Low;
More than 770=USB 2.0 High

Download speeds were extremely quick, fast enough that you probably won't feel the need for a separate card reader, even with the A900's huge files. (Note that this test was performed with a SanDisk Extreme III CF card: Slower cards would likely show slower transfer times.)

Bottom line, the Sony A900 is generally a very responsive camera, able to handle typical family shots as well as faster sports action. For a semi-pro SLR, performance is only average, but not at all surprising, considering the huge 25-megapixel files and full-frame format, which requires a larger (and therefore heavier and harder to move) mirror.

Battery and Storage Capacity

Battery

Good battery life for a full-frame DSLR.

Test Conditions

Number of Shots

Lithium-ion rechargeable battery,(CIPA standard)

880

The Sony A900 uses a custom rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack for power, and comes with both a single battery and charger. The rated 880 shots per charge is above average for an SLR, but don't forget, the A900 does not have a built-in flash which is normally fired for 50% of the shots during CIPA standard testing. We recommend getting a second battery and/or the optional battery grip for extended outings.

The table above shows the number of shots the camera is capable of on fully-charged battery, based on CIPA battery-life and/or manufacturer standard test conditions.

The Sony A900 stores its photos on CompactFlash or Memory Stick Duo memory cards, and no card is included with the camera. The chart below shows approximately how many images can be stored on a 2GB card at each size/quality setting.

Image Capacity vs
Resolution/Quality
2GB Memory Card

Extra Fine

Fine

Normal

RAW

RAW
+LF JPEG

6,048 x 4,032

Images
(Avg size)

8723.5 MB

201
10.2 MB

302
6.8 MB

5437.9 MB

42
48.8 MB

Approx.
Comp.

3:1

7:1

11:1

1:1

-

4,400 x 2,936

Images
(Avg size)

15713.0 MB

344
6.0 MB

491
4.2 MB

-

-

Approx.
Comp.

3:1

7:1

9:1

-

-

3,024 x 2,016

Images
(Avg size)

2837.2 MB

599
3.4 MB

789
2.6 MB

-

-

Approx.
Comp.

3:1

5:1

7:1

-

-

We strongly recommend buying a fast, high-capacityCompactFlash or Memory Stick Pro Duo card. The A900's files are huge, so you should probably consider at least a 4GB card, if not an 8GB one, to give yourself extra space for extended outings, especially if you plan on doing a lot of RAW shooting. (Check the shopping link above, cards are cheap these days, so there's no reason to skimp -- But do consider faster cards for this camera, to reduce buffer clearing times.)